For the second consecutive year, Travel + Leisure readers have voted Santa Fe as the top western US destination in the 2024 World’s Best Awards list of the 15 Best Cities in the US. Visitors staying at the newly enhanced Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado can immerse themselves in the vibrant offerings of Santa Fe, from art and adventure to wellness and cultural experiences.
“We are fortunate to have such a unique blend of cultures, landscapes, and attractions right in our backyard,” says General Manager Melissa Sims. “With direct flights to Santa Fe and nearby Albuquerque, visitors can escape to a destination with cosmopolitan appeal, all with the ease of domestic travel.”
The onsite team at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado shares what makes Santa Fe a top travel destination:
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Acclaimed Art and Culture
Santa Fe is a cultural haven, boasting over 250 galleries, the highest concentration for a city of its size. Many of these galleries are located within a two-mile radius on the iconic Canyon Road, allowing art enthusiasts to explore numerous studios on foot.
The Art Concierge program at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, led by Mike McKosky, offers exclusive services to guests, facilitating exploration of Santa Fe’s artistic treasures. With McKosky’s extensive experience in the Santa Fe fine art scene, guests can customize their itinerary based on their style, budget, and desired artwork. The Art Concierge can also arrange artist meet-and-greets and private showings or after-hours experiences at top galleries.
“As a lifelong art advocate, I love sharing my passion for the incredible arts community with guests,” says McKosky. “Santa Fe is welcoming and approachable, and this program is a way to build a personal connection to the vibrant arts and culture of our city.”
Adventure Awaits
Santa Fe’s unique landscapes and cultural excursions enhance its international appeal. Guests of Four Seasons can enjoy tailored experiences through the onsite Adventure Center, the only one of its kind in the city. All tours are customized and led by expert guides. Exclusive offerings include the Tsi’pin Ruins Tour, an eight-hour expedition with a geologist and archaeologist to ancient Indigenous dwellings atop a mesa, providing a unique encounter at the Tsi-p ‘in-owinge Cultural Heritage Site.
Adventure Architect Hans Loehr, a ten-year veteran of the property, leads the program. Loehr’s passion for the outdoors and extensive local knowledge allow him to plan and guide personalized adventures. When not guiding guests, he explores new experiences and builds connections with local artisans to enrich the guest experience.
“My passion is sharing my love of the outdoors and this magical destination with guests who are looking for authentic cultural experiences,” says Loehr. “The reward of seeing our guests enjoying the breathtaking beauty of New Mexico is priceless.”
Wellness and Mind-Body Connection
The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado offers a sanctuary for self-care, situated on a spiritual vortex. It provides high-desert healing and reinvigorating retreats, featuring treatments that incorporate the botanicals and healing rituals of northern New Mexico along with global influences.
“Our Spa team is well versed not only on traditional healing and wellness techniques but also on new therapies and holistic methods,” says Spa Director Tina Hay. “Of course, you can have a relaxing massage, but the menu expands into spiritual journeys, sage smudging, and chakra balancing.”
Signature therapies include the Mountain Spirit Purification ritual, with sage smudging and an adobe-clay body mask, and the Journey to Abiquiu, which combines yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and a sense of place.
Culinary Creativity and Appeal
Terra, the signature restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, offers a menu where global influences meet regional delights. Santa Fe’s culinary landscape reflects a blend of Spanish, Native American, and Mexican influences, which are showcased in Terra’s unique offerings.
Executive Chef Andrew Fox leads the culinary team, bringing over two decades of experience from luxurious resorts, upscale restaurants, and cruise ships across the US. In Santa Fe, Chef Fox partners with local vendors to introduce new ingredients to Terra’s menu, celebrating the diverse flavors of the region.
“The complexity of the cuisine in Santa Fe reflects the many cultural influences and unique history of the destination,” he says. “We try to bring that blending of cultures to the plate for our visitors.”
Discover Santa Fe
Guests can experience the magic of Santa Fe with the Discover Santa Fe package. This package offers a choice of two complimentary experiences per room, per stay, including: use of resort mountain bikes; a two-hour private family hike; an in-casita s’mores night; a spa welcome basket; a 60-minute private yoga session; a day in a poolside cabana; or a customized gourmet picnic for up to four guests.
Explore the charm of the Land of Enchantment and enjoy all that Santa Fe and Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado have to offer.
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